Biography

Karen focuses on therapeutic investments at Ysios Capital, and coordinates the identification and evaluation of investment opportunities.

Karen joined Ysios in 2008 with more than 10 years of experience in business development for various biotech and pharma companies. She started her career as a management consultant in McKinsey & Company’s global healthcare practice, and was subsequently Director of Business Development at Ingenium Pharmaceuticals.

Karen also worked with Ysios colleague Joël Jean-Mairet at Glycart Biotechnology. Following the sale of Glycart Biotechnology to F. Hoffmann-La Roche in 2005, Karen was responsible for business development and alliance management for Roche in the areas of drug discovery technology, preclinical oncology and viral diseases. After leaving Roche, Karen managed a consultancy firm, providing advice and hands-on support to various biotechnology companies in business development and strategy, while supporting Ysios as a Venture Partner.

Karen holds a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and a PhD in Cell Biology, both from the University of Konstanz.

Board positions

Karen serves on the Boards of Cytoki Pharma, Vivet Therapeutics, Minoryx Therapeutics, AELIX Therapeutics, Synendos and SparingVision. Formerly, she was Board Member at Cardoz, Xeltis, Kala Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:KALA), and Galecto (NASDQ:GLTO).